danielhillshafer574

Joined: Apr 2025
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Discussions

General · PTs vs. IRL - are there any stats?

danielhillshafer574

Thursday, Nov 28 2019

My only record score was 5 points below my PT average. Of course, that was September when a rogue LG section owned my soul. I scored at or better than my PT average on the rest of the exam. I just took Monday’s exam and feel like I nailed it so...I’ll let you know in a few weeks?

General · Logical Reasoning Help

danielhillshafer574

Wednesday, Nov 27 2019

“The Loophole” by Ellen Cassidy. Got me from -7/-9 to -1/-3. Best money I spent on prep material (besides ultimate+, of course.)

General · URM SEEKING APPLICATION/RETAKE ADVICE

danielhillshafer574

Wednesday, Nov 27 2019

First, 158 isn’t exactly “bombing” the LSAT. A lot of people would be very happy with that score. You, however, have high expectations and I relate to that and respect it. I always tell people who need a few extra points to focus on LR translation drills (the best resource for this is the book “The Loophole”) and skip/flag your problem questions and come back to them after you successfully nail the rest of the section. Additionally, foolproof LG every day. Be relentless in your efforts to score 23/23 every time because LG is the most learnable section there is. Practice low-res memorization with RC passages and you will see improvement there as well.

If you won’t get into your target school without a higher score then, yes, plan to retake and go hard HARD on your studies. I was scoring mid/high 170s on PTs and I’d be happy to help if you have questions; feel free to PM me.

General · 148-157 in five weeks - NEED ADVICE

danielhillshafer574

Wednesday, Nov 27 2019

If you’re already in the 150s on Prep Tests, I think a few strategic changes can help you pick up those extra points. 1. Skip and flag LR questions you struggle with and come back to them after you finish every other question. Additionally, focus your LR studies on mastering the translation drill (read the stimulus once, write down the conclusion and premises in your own simple words, then, without looking at the answer choices, make a few guesses as to what would solve the question.)

2. In each Logic game, answer the orienting question THEN immediately skip ahead and answer all your current game’s “if” questions before coming back and answering the others. By tackling “ifs” first you will have a bunch of possible (or impossible) scenarios which you can use to eliminate answer choices for the remaining questions.

3. For RC, practice reducing each paragraph to a very simple description and how it relates to the rest of the passage. For example: I’ll read the first paragraph and stop at the end and tell myself, in three words or less, what I just read. After each subsequent paragraph I do the same thing and also, in three words or less, tell myself how the paragraph is used in the passage. Does it support a claim in paragraph 1? Does it present an argument opposing something earlier? I would think about it like this. “1. Background: why need treaty.” “2. Explains 1. Pre-treaty situation.”

Using this low-res method, you give yourself a map to locate specific information while retaining a basic understanding of the main point and perspectives.

LSAT · Should I cancel my score??

danielhillshafer574

Tuesday, Nov 26 2019

So...

...I’ve been there. Many of us have. I actually cancelled my June score only to bomb (for me) and get a 164 in September. In retrospect, I wish I hadn’t cancelled because I almost certainly did better than I thought I had. I felt like I bombed every LSAT so far (except today) but I didn’t. It is far more likely that you are within 3 points of your PT average than you think. I say keep it and prepare for January just in case.

LSAT · ⚖ Official November 2019 LSAT Discussion Thread ⚖

danielhillshafer574

Tuesday, Nov 26 2019

@trombettalauren834 said:

@kcsteenland361 said:

Hi all!does anyone who had only two LR sections recall a question about three islands one having a population one not and there being a bridge connecting the inhabitated/uninhabited islands?

I had three LR and my first LR had this question wondering if that was experimental!

I had three LR and did not have this section!

I think they’re talking about the wolves on the Falkland Island

LSAT · ⚖ Official November 2019 LSAT Discussion Thread ⚖

danielhillshafer574

Tuesday, Nov 26 2019

@yuyuecarly468 said:

Any guesses on the curve for this one?

If September was a -13, this was -10. Maybe -11 if we’re lucky.

LSAT · ⚖ Official November 2019 LSAT Discussion Thread ⚖

danielhillshafer574

Tuesday, Nov 26 2019

@jams61444920 said:

Wait can someone help me: I had 2 lg sections. 1st section- something with S is the third; 2nd- assigning colors for the fourth game. Some people with 1 lg section told me they didn’t have colors but some did. Which is the real one??😲

I could have been wrong, bud. I did a prep test with clothes just yesterday and don’t really recall the 3rd game from today. The ones that were real I do remember were ingredients to food and visitors to three countries

However, I do think there was a game about clothes and colors. I remember the three games were a breeze and I had 18 full minutes for the last game.

LSAT · Thank god its over....also the stylus SUCKED

danielhillshafer574

Tuesday, Nov 26 2019

I didn’t use the stylus at all. I learned from September that the stylus is basically useless.

But it’s a great souvenir...

LSAT · ⚖ Official November 2019 LSAT Discussion Thread ⚖

danielhillshafer574

Tuesday, Nov 26 2019

@jams61444920 said:

@angelieortizao751 was your clothing colors lg the one with red white green yellow (

That sounds right(/p)

LSAT · ⚖ Official November 2019 LSAT Discussion Thread ⚖

danielhillshafer574

Tuesday, Nov 26 2019

@axjxmarvel987 said:

Was the LG that had clothing colors experimental?

No. I only had one LG and it was there.

LSAT · ⚖ Official November 2019 LSAT Discussion Thread ⚖

danielhillshafer574

Tuesday, Nov 26 2019

Feeling very confident in 170+ after this exam. I thought it was very average to below average difficulty. The only hard part for me was the fourth logic game.

General · HELP! My score is dropping!

danielhillshafer574

Sunday, Nov 24 2019

@jameslopez575 People advance at their own pace with this test; what you're going through may or may not be cause to shake up your study habits. That said, you really haven't given enough detail to offer anything but general advice yet. It would be useful to know, for example, what the patterns are in your Prep Test scores. In order to improve, you need to keep a record of the kinds of questions / passages/ games you're having trouble with and then make it your life's mission to become an expert on the underlying logic behind those issues.

I've been studying 25+ hours a week for nearly a year and have spent over $2000 on test prep materials. I've found that, for me, there are three resources that have given me more than everything else combined, so I'll recommend them to you.

7Sage Ultimate+. This is the biggest bang for your buck in the world of prep. Every Prep Test and every question with a solid core curriculum and explanations. It may seem like a lot of cash but if I had it all to do over, I'd start here and save some time / money. Took me from high 160s to consistent 170s.

"The Loophole to LSAT Logical Reasoning" by Ellen Cassidy. This book took me from missing -7/-9 per LR section to -0/-3 and broke my 160s ceiling for the first time. You need this.

"Manhattan Prep Logic Games Strategy Guide." This really is the best supplementary resource for improving LG after the 7Sage core curriculum.

Honorable mention: "LSAT Trainer" by Mike Kim. This is the book that got me to my first 165+ Prep Test score after struggling in the high 150s/low 160s for months.

Anywho, it would be great to know more about what your section scores are like in order to give you more specific information. I opine that most of us who've been at it for a while have been where you are. Hope I can help!

General · LSAT tips to improve scores?

danielhillshafer574

Friday, Nov 22 2019

Buy the book “The Loophole in LSAT Logical Reasoning” by Ellen Cassidy. Aside from 7Sage Ultimate+ it’s been the single biggest score booster for me. If you struggle with LR you need the Loophole.

LSAT · Testing November 25th and just got a new PT best of 175!!!

danielhillshafer574

Friday, Nov 22 2019

This is an awesomely motivating post. I high scored three weeks ago and got a 173 on PT 71 this afternoon. Been consistently nailing mid-170s all month long. I can’t wait for Monday.

LSAT

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Friday, Nov 22 2019

danielhillshafer574

Hitting my stride for last month of study.

November will hopefully be my last take. I first took in June when I was mid - high 160s (with one 170) and cancelled because I was nervous on test day. Wrote again in September with Prep Test scores hovering in high 160s - low 170s and scored 164. Gutted, I'm going for one more try and am finally consistently hitting the mid 170s. Last month of PTs has been 177, 174, 175, 163 (was sick) 166 (next day - still recovering), Tuesday's 172, and today's 173. My diagnostic last December was 157. When I started out I had no idea I'd ever be where I am today: looking to go knock a 170+ out of the park on Monday.

I've learned some incredibly valuable lessons along the way. For one thing: never stop respecting this test or it will punish you. Next, don't forget that the light at the end of this tunnel is law school, then the Bar exam, followed by a meaningful career practicing law. Finally, this test is intended to quantify your ability to understand and reason with complex/dense words and situations - consider that getting better at these skills is early preparation for your future career.

No matter what happens I know without a doubt I, personally, wouldn't be hitting these scores without the excellent content of this site and the brilliant, dynamic support found here on the forums. If I'm having a bad prep day, I know I can find the right motivation here - it's happened multiple times. So, with that, thanks to all for sharing the adventure. To those taking the November exam: may the logic come easily and may the curve be generous.

General · How do you skip questions/passages??

danielhillshafer574

Thursday, Nov 21 2019

For me it's simple and effective. For LR questions, if the answer choices are three or more lines each, I select C and skip knowing I'll be coming back to it. Additionally, if I am not 100% sure of my answer choice, I flag it. If I am taking too long - say over a minute and a half - I select the "best" answer, flag it, and move on. I usually have at least ten minutes at the end for coming back to my (typically) 3 - 5 flagged questions. My LR average is -0/-3 per section.

I never skip RC questions but, just like LR, if I'm not 100% sure of my answer I'll flag it to come back if I have time. I must say, though, it is more time-consuming to attempt a skipped RC question so the key for these questions is to master your summarizing of the passage and it's parts.

For LG I skip strategically. I answer the orienting question first, then skip ahead and answer all the local questions (those that start with "if.") The local questions typically require you to create mini-diagrams and leave your scratch paper full of possible (or impossible) scenarios that help save time answering the remaining questions.

General · November LSAT: WE GOT THIS!

danielhillshafer574

Tuesday, Nov 19 2019

172 on today’s PT. Let’s gooooooooo!!!!!!!!

General · Finally broke into the 160s...let’s go!!!

danielhillshafer574

Thursday, Nov 14 2019

I started at 157 and am now firmly in the mid / high 170s. After all the resources I've been through I can honestly recommend three that helped me most.

"The Loophole in LSAT Logical Reasoning" by Ellen Cassidy. If you haven't heard, you need this book in your life immediately.

"Manhattan Prep Logic Games Strategy Guide." So good and easy to remember strategies for LG.

7Sage Ultimate+. The ultimate resource for LSAT Prep. Seriously, you get EVERY prep test, question, game, explanation, and a solid all-in-one core curriculum. I can build my own question set from the full bank based on the type and difficulty level I need to work on. Is this worth the money? This is worth double the money.

OP, may your logic come easily and may your test day curve be generous.

LSAT · PT88.S4.Q21 - Airbag question

danielhillshafer574

Tuesday, Nov 12 2019

@danielhillshafer574 said:

I flagged this one but on blind review stuck with my answer of B...I can understand why the correct answer is A, but still don't see why B CAN'T be right? Has anyone got their arms around this one?

Admin note: minor title edit; please use the format of "PT#.S#.Q# - [brief description]"

The reason answer choice B is incorrect is because it states something the argument does not. Our task here is to identify the flaw in the statement. Simply put, nowhere does the stimulus claim that any failure in a computer control system will result in accidental airbag inflation. Since it isn't claimed, it can't be the flaw.

LSAT · LR issues during PTs

danielhillshafer574

Friday, Nov 08 2019

99thPercentileOrDieTryin -- which Translation drill are you talking about? Are you talking about the valid argumen

@lexxx74569 The translation drill is as follows:

Read an LR stimulus one time through and cover it with your hand. Then, in your own words, right down the stimulus in a way that is both accurate, simple, and easy for you to understand.

For an argument, make sure to identify the conclusion and premises. You’re probably going to struggle through quite a few of these before you get good but do these until translation is second nature. This drill helped me get from where you now are to -1 average on LR. It also increases your speed. Good luck!

Admissions · Arkansas Little Rock

danielhillshafer574

Thursday, Nov 07 2019

If my goal were to practice law in Arkansas, and T14 were out of the question, I'd look into University of Arkansas - Fayetteville. Of course, as the usual recommendation goes: get into the best school you can.

LSAT · Necessary Assumption

danielhillshafer574

Thursday, Nov 07 2019

I used to confuse NA and SA. Once I gained a clear understanding of what a NA was and which question stems identified them, it became easy to get the right answer. Simply put, a necessary assumption correct answer will be something that, if true, enables the conclusion to be true. This is different from a sufficient assumption question where the correct answer choice will be an additional premise that proves the conclusion.

Let's use the classic "Socrates is a man" argument to illustrate each type.

"Socrates is a man. All men are mortal. Therefore Socrates is mortal."

What would a sufficient assumption correct answer choice look like? "All men named Socrates must die." It's additional information that connects and confirms the stated premises to the conclusion which leaves no doubt that the conclusion must be true.

What would a necessary assumption correct answer choice look like? "Being a man does not necessitate immortality." That's it. No new premise is given. Simply a statement that enables the truth of the conclusion. I know these are very simple illustrations using a very basic argument but, even the most complicated stimuli do not diverge from the formula. Hope this helps.

General · How to make the final jump from 167 to 170? Taking test this month!

danielhillshafer574

Thursday, Nov 07 2019

My biggest jumps at the stage you're in came from time management strategies. For example, when doing Logic Games, answer the orienting question then skip ahead and answer all the "if" questions before coming back to the others. "If" questions leave your scratch paper full of possible scenarios that the universal questions might ask for. The resulting time saved will give you a cushion for more difficult games.

In LR, similarly, when you come to any time-consuming question-type (like parallel flaw, etc...) or a type you know you are weaker with, just mark a random answer choice, flag it, and skip to the next. This may seem counter-intuitive at first, but there is a psychological benefit I've found that translates into better scores. When you waste a lot of time on a difficult question, and you know you still have 15 to go, it is normal to feel more pressure and, at least for me, the tendency is to try to rush the answers in the rest of the questions. By skipping the hardest ones, I always find myself at the end of the section with around 15 minutes left to work through 3 to 5 flagged questions after having confidently answered the other 21 or so questions. My average at LR is currently -1.

Good luck and I hope this helps!

LSAT · LR issues during PTs

danielhillshafer574

Tuesday, Nov 05 2019

Yes. Do the Translation drill until you can understand a stimulus well after only one read. This is what I did and I regularly finish LR sections in under 30 minutes with -1/-2 average. "The Loophole in Logical Reasoning" by Ellen Cassidy is the book I used that explains this method in detail and I went from -7/-8 having to rush the last few questions to where I am now.